Mr Christopher West, plastic surgeon Book a consultation
Mr Christopher West in green scrubs talking with a woman, a tablet on the table in front of him.

Lower blepharoplasty

Lower eyelid surgery for eye bags and crepey skin.

Book a consultation Questions and answers

The operation

Lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a very popular procedure. It can treat a number of different issues, including excess skin and lower eye bags. The result is a fresher, brighter appearance to the eyes and face.

As we age, we develop excess loose skin around the eye and bags can form where fat bulges forward. These bags cast shadows around the lower eyelid, which can make dark circles look worse and make the eyes look heavy and tired. Many people feel their eyes make them look tired and feel very self-conscious about them.

Lower eyelid surgery can be performed alone but is often combined with other procedures such as upper eyelid surgery, facelifts and fat grafting.

In theatre
2 hours
Anaesthetic
General or deep sedation
Downtime
1 to 2 weeks
Exercise
2 weeks
Price
From £3,995
Suited to
Dark circles, eye bags and crepey skin.
How it works
The fat causing the bags is redraped to even out the under-eye area. Excess skin is lifted and removed.
The result
A refreshed under-eye area that looks bright and youthful.
The clinic lounge at Coppergate, sofas and a glass table under soft lighting.

Step by step

From the first consultation to your recovery.

  1. Your consultation

    Book a consultation online or call the team. Consultations are in York and Leeds, with virtual consultations for patients travelling from further afield.

  2. The day of surgery

    You will meet the consultant anaesthetist, who will discuss the anaesthetic with you.

    Once in theatre and asleep, Mr West marks the planned incision carefully. Through incisions under the lower eyelid, the fat causing the heavy bags is redraped. Any excess skin is removed before small skin stitches are placed. Antibiotic ointment is applied to the scar.

  3. Recovery

    Following surgery you will be transferred to the dedicated recovery area, where you will be looked after by our expert staff. Once you are awake and feeling well we will make sure all aftercare is explained and follow-up appointments are arranged before you leave.

What patients say

Reviews from Mr West's Google profile, published as written.

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Frequently asked questions

The questions patients ask most often. Anything specific to one patient is covered at the consultation.

What are the risks associated with this procedure?

We will discuss this in detail at your consultation. Swelling and bruising for 1 to 2 weeks is to be expected. Infections can occur, which are treated with antibiotics. Minor bleeding can rarely happen and should stop with pressure. The scar is usually very well concealed below the lower eyelashes. Sometimes it can take a while to settle and regular massage helps. As the swelling and scar settle the lower lid can feel tight. Any surgery around the eye carries a risk of blindness. Fortunately this is very rare and estimated at about 1 in 20,000.

What are the follow-up or aftercare procedures?

Sutures are removed after 5 to 7 days and scar massage begins after 2 weeks. A further review appointment is usually made 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.

When can I start playing sports again?

Light activity is fine after 10 days. Vigorous exercise should be avoided for at least 3 weeks. Anything that makes your face red, such as bending over or lifting anything heavy, should be avoided for the first 2 weeks.

When can I wear contact lenses again?

Contact lenses should be avoided for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery.

Does lower blepharoplasty treat festoons or malar bags?

Some people have swelling around the lower eye caused by collections of fluid. These are called malar bags or festoons. They are very difficult to treat and lower blepharoplasty will not improve them. In some cases they can be treated with injections of doxycycline to shrink the swollen area.

Does lower blepharoplasty get rid of dark circles?

Lower eye bags can cause dark shadows, which improve after lower blepharoplasty as the area is evened out. In some people the skin under the eye is naturally dark and this is likely to stay after surgery.

Book a consultation

A consultation with Mr West covers the anatomy, what surgery can realistically achieve and the risks involved. A fixed written quote follows afterwards.

Surgery is only planned after this assessment, with time to reflect before any decision. Virtual consultations are available for patients travelling from further afield.

Book a consultation
A patient is welcomed at the reception desk of the Coppergate Clinic in York.